shrink wrap or not?

[erice]

i'm in the process of purchasing a 36' trawler (not an albin, but i can't find a sabreline forum), and am considering leaving it in the water through the winter. do you have an opinion about leaving the boat covered (shrink wrap) or uncovered? i've seen both done at various marinas, but i guess my concern is water getting into tight spots and causing damage when it freezes. thanks for the help

[DougSea]

i'm in the process of purchasing a 36' trawler (not an albin, but i can't find a sabreline forum), and am considering leaving it in the water through the winter. do you have an opinion about leaving the boat covered (shrink wrap) or uncovered? i've seen both done at various marinas, but i guess my concern is water getting into tight spots and causing damage when it freezes. thanks for the help

Shrinkwrap or tarps...you certainly don't want any water pooling and freezing. With a boat being kept in the water I'd be leaning towards shrink-wrap since it's a bit less likely to come loose. Not a huge problem when you're on the hard but a bit more difficult to deal with when the boat's in the water.

[RicM]

Tarps require a foolproof, tight as a drum tie down system and lots of padding where anything rubs. You will be amazed at how much damage a tarp can do just vibrating in the wind if there is the least bit of dirt or grit on the tarp or the boat. Think 120 sandpaper.

[bccanucker]

This is what we do.

[Daryl]

Way up north I shrink wrap my Albin on the hard. You did not specify your location but ..... I would be sure to have lots of vents if I ever used shrink wrap on a floating vessel

[RicM]

In RI we shrink wrap on the hard and in the water. In fact, many of the live-aboards at Wickford Shipyard shrink wrap for the insulation and safety value. They often put in full scale storm doors and plexiglass windows for the view. I will try to get a picture to post this weekend. Hit 29 degrees here last night. Just got my head done in time yesterday (did all the fresh water last weekend) although Sawzall Dave claims s%!t don't freeze until much lower temps, I'm not taking any chances with a fecal explosion. I don't worry about the salt water systems (engine, AC & wash down) until I haul, probably week after next.

[jleonard]

I say shrink wrap if you;re staying in the water. You want it to be bulletproof (really snow and ice proof).
Leave it oncovered and any slight crack in gelcoat, teak decks, whatever will let some water in, then the freeze thaw cycle starts and it can get ugly quick.
Also one heavy snow and you don't get there in time to shovel it off could be disasterous.

[tomcat]

Our 40, before we bought it, was on Long Island Sound last winter and it was shrink wrapped. I have it on the hard on the upper Hudson right now and we're trying out a tarp for this winter. Stay tuned.....

[lmustico]

I have shrink wrapped in the water and on the hard. Tired of wasting all that plastic. Bit the bullet and purchased a cover this year. Hope to pick it up late next week.
Providence, Albin 33
Georgetown, MD

[Vic T]

Could you provide the source of the cover and approximate cost? We have a 36 and I am looking at a cover vs shrink wrap for next year.

Thanks...Vic

[lmustico]

The cover is being made by Fisher Canvas of Burlington, NJ. www.fishercanvas.com
Price was $2,997.00
Providence, Albin 33
Georgetown, MD

[jakevr]

lmustico, looks like the boat is sinking by the bow. cover is nice tho. i had mine shrink wrapped last year, in the water to do the deck job but am not going to cover it this winter, besides the fly bridge. im a liveaboard and hated being in the bubble.